You Have a Story – How to Unpack from your Adventure – A Spiritual Supply List for your Pilgrim Path – Part 7

Every journey, no matter what level of success or amount of challenges, must come to an end.  I am pretty predictable at the end of a pilgrimage: clean (myself, my clothes and my supplies), organize the supplies for the next trip, get some rest, and ever so slowly begin to review the pictures and the journal entries remembering the stories of the adventure that just occurred.  Just as I have a story that needs to be shared, so do you.  What is your story of faith and how often do you share it with others?

Joe Paprocki and Julianne Stanz, authors of the book The Catechist’s Backpack, wrap up their lessons to us by reminding us of the importance of sharing our story with others.  They share the wisdom found in the document Go and Make Disciples about the power of telling others our story, “Whether you were baptized as a child or joined the Church as an adult, you have a story of faith.  Whether you sincerely live your faith in quiet or have a great public ministry, you have a story of faith.  Whether you have a grade-school knowledge of the catechism or have a theological degree, you have a story of faith” (No. 6).  Isn’t the same true when returning from a backpacking adventure?  Whether you are a seasoned professional, a weekend warrior or a first-timer, you have a story to share.

Recently a very good friend, Dr. Mike Carotta, shared a story of faith about a lady he happened to cross paths with at the gym very early one morning.  As he was on the treadmill recovering from ankle surgery, he noticed this woman walking at a brisk pace with a set of Rosary beads.  The next time she passed by he checked it out again and sure enough, she was praying the Rosary while exercising.  After he completed his time on the treadmill and she was done with her brisk walk, he introduced himself and asked her to share the story of why she prays the Rosary.  After a few moments of wondering about this guy asking her a question she answers, “I’m praying this for my 7 year old nephew…he’s stubborn.”  Mike is a bit taken back because he wanted to know about the Rosary itself, not the subject she was praying for through the prayer.  Once she really understands she says, “We make 5,000 of these a year and father heads to Africa and gives them away.  They love it and I love the Rosary.”  She tells him a story of how her niece asked her to teach her the specifics of the Rosary and she had to put her off so she could research it online first.  But she told Mike that she believes in Mary’s intercession to her Son for us.  My friend was struck by witnessing how a person is intimately involved in prayer and lives it during the dark mornings before dawn around a gym track.  She may not know the mechanics but she KNOWS this prayer by and through her heart.  Mike finishes this story by saying, “I’m happy that I am courageous enough to knock on the story door, grateful for the conversation that came forth, but I notice that there is a bounce to my step; and it’s light!

It is through stories “that communal bonds are strengthened, relationships are deepened, our faith is nourished and God’s movement in our lives is revealed” (The Catechist’s Backpack, p. 94).  Today we have so many more solid and outstanding resources and methods to learn our faith than ever before in human history.  Yet, it also seems that the art of telling our love story with God is diminishing.  As someone who has been a catechist and youth minister for many years, when I encounter those who were teens in my parish programs, they never seem to remember my lessons but they do remember some of the stories.

So as this backpacking journey comes to an end and you begin to reflect on the stories, remember this quote by Native-American poet Oren Lyons, “Life will go on as long as there is someone to sing, to dance, to tell stories and listen.”

Reflection written by John Gaffney, Diocesan Director for Evangelization & Catechesis.

Julianne Stanz will present a workshop for catechetical leaders in the Diocese of Des Moines on March 3, 2016.

 

Are you the Energizer Bunny for Christ? – Devotion to Mary and the Saints provides authentic stamina for presenting Christ – A Spiritual Supply List for your Pilgrim Path – Part 6

Getting lost is part of exploration.  In fact, once you are over the trauma of actually being lost many fellow explorers will tell you this part of the journey may be the most memorable part of the trip.  The problem with being lost though is that it can lead to paralysis, depression and despair.  Today it seems that we have a lot of lost souls that you and I encounter regularly.  Whether it is a traumatic event that has occurred in one’s life, a slow drifting away taking the person into unfamiliar territory or being in cognitive overload, a sense of loss pervades western society today.  The good news is that you and I have many opportunities each day to be an evangelist and share God’s light with those who feel shrouded in darkness.  Just as we have Jesus who is the light of the World for inspiration, Catholics also have the grand tradition of experiencing Christ’s light shine through Mary his mother and the saints.

In the book The Catechist’s Backpack by Joe Paprocki and Julianne Stanz, they remind us that “Faith is taught but it is also caught” (p. 77.)  Our witness role in religious formation many times comes from those who have been Christian witnesses to us.  My love of camping and backpacking came from experiences I had with my dad and my friend’s parents who also enjoyed exploring the great outdoors.  Christ called me, as part of my Baptism, to be a catechist.  He equipped me for this ministry by providing effective witnesses and teachers who have and continue to guide me.  However, we also confess our belief in the Communion of Saints.  “We can look to many such models: some living, others from the past, some known only to ourselves, and others who are great saints of the Church” (p. 78.)

Inspirations such as Mary, Joseph and the saints demonstrate to you and me how to present Jesus to the world.  Great art, especially icons, show this beautifully when you see Mary’s hand pointing to Jesus or a saint like Anthony of Padua craddling Jesus in his arms but in a way that places the emphasis on Jesus.  Father James Martin S.J. writes, “Everything the saints say and do is centered on Christ and points us in his direction” (My Life with the Saints, p. 7).  Father Martin goes on to quote noted Catholic theologian, Lawrence S. Cunningham, when he writes, “the saints also serve as our prophetic witnesses spurring us to live more fully as Christian disciples.”

Father Martin, in a wonderful DVD Series for Loyola Productions titled “Who Cares about the Saints?” includes a story from Saint John XXIII in which as a young boy he is lifted upon the shoulders of his father to watch a religious procession.  Saint John says the following, “The secret in life is to be carried by others to God.”  This is exactly what Mary and the saints do when they present God to us through the authentic witness of their lives.  May you and I be humble enough to spend our lives being carried to God through the Christian witness of our sisters and brothers who make up the Communion of Saints.

Below is an example of the Father James Martin series, “Who Cares about the Saints?”  This episode is about Saint John XXIII.

Reflection written by John Gaffney, Diocesan Director for Evangelization & Catechesis.

Julianne Stanz will present a workshop for catechetical leaders in the Diocese of Des Moines on March 3, 2016.

 

It’s OK to Play with Matches – Making Sure You Have What is Needed for Missionary Zeal – A Spiritual Supply List for your Pilgrim Path – Part 5

What camping adventure worth its name wouldn’t include a bonfire?  I think about miles of hot dogs and s’mores that were roasted not to mention the number of stories that were told around roaring campfires that I have attended throughout the years.  Those memories are embedded in my mind along with the people who were with me.  The common denominator that brought these memories together was the bonfire itself.  What was the catalyst that ignited wood, kindling and fuel into a roaring flame?  It was the intentional action of someone who created a spark that took all these random materials and caused a radical change to take place: a bonfire.

Think about the bonfire as your local parish or our diocesan Church.

• Some of us are the pieces of wood.  There are large pieces that will be used to form the outside of the structure while the smaller pieces are piled up inside.  Some of the wood may be wet or have moss growing on it.  For whatever reason each piece of wood was brought to this place and for a specific purpose.
• Some of us are kindling.  When compared to the larger pieces of wood, it doesn’t seem like we measure up. Most of the time kindling is something that seems disposable: paper towels, an old newspaper or magazine, or dry brittle twigs.  From the perspective of the kindling elements, life among the larger pieces of wood may seem intimidating.
• Some of us are fuel. This material is used to produce heat or power.  Unlike the other materials that can be used in multiple ways, there are few ways to use fuel.  Furthermore, for the heat or power to be produced requires some action beyond its ability.
• For the bonfire that is the Church to become what it was created to be requires the spark of faith given to it by the Holy Spirit.  For the pyre to become a bonfire requires the action of the one who creates the spark. For us to continually be able to spread the Gospel requires that we provide the Holy Spirit good material to fan our spark of faith into a large flame.

Sometimes we talk ourselves out of becoming an evangelist because we think we are too small, our faith isn’t strong enough, or we are not ordained, But evangelization doesn’t come from us, it comes from Jesus.  Joe Paprocki and Julianne Stanz write in their book The Catechist’s Backpack, “The Good News we bring to the world when we evangelize is not only the message of Jesus Christ but the person of Jesus Christ, who desires a personal relationship with each one of us” (page 66).

When I was a baby youth minister I had a volunteer who didn’t think she was qualified to do anything else but welcome teens to our programming.  Although she was every bit as qualified to lead programming, she was outstanding at welcoming people into youth ministry and encouraging those who felt they weren’t faithful enough to give it a try.  Pope Francis would call her an “agent of evangelization.”  In Joy of the Gospel Pope Francis writes, “All the baptized, whatever their position in the Church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelization, and it would be insufficient to envisage a plan of evangelization to be carried out by professionals while the rest of the faithful would simply be passive recipients.  The new evangelization calls for personal involvement on the part of each of the baptized.  Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evangelization; indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love” (paragraph #120).

Families today more than ever need to be evangelized by you and I that Christ’s Gospel has much to offer them as spouses along with their children.  Isn’t there somebody today that you and I will encounter that is in need of Christ’s mercy?  Having the opportunity to be open to this and to share the love that God has shown us is what it means to be someone on mission.  The real question for each of us is if we are open to offering the materials God has given so that He can fan the spark of faith into a large bonfire?  Below is one of my favorite parts of the movie Prince of Egypt about another person who wasn’t sure he had what it took to be on mission. Look at what God accomplished through him.

Reflection written by John Gaffney, Diocesan Director for Evangelization & Catechesis.

Julianne Stanz will present a workshop for catechetical leaders in the Diocese of Des Moines on March 3, 2016.

 

Where are you going? The need for a solid topographical map – A Spiritual Supply List for Your Pilgrim Path – Part 3

When I began this series of reflections it was in response to some of the events of this summer which has been challenging to those who are Christian.  How are we to witness our faith to those around us?  The Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity from Vatican Council II proposes this vision to Catholics, “Our own times require of the laity no less zeal, in fact, modern conditions demand that their apostolate be broadened and intensified…Since the laity, in accordance with their state in life, live in the midst of the world and its concerns, they are called by God to exercise their apostolate in the world like leaven, with the ardor of the spirit of Christ” (The Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, #1 & #2).  St. Paul wrote about this too shortly before his martyrdom in Rome, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).  Perhaps the Vatican II fathers, St. Paul and those of us who love to back pack have something in common; we need a good map and compass to avoid pointless wandering.

Joe Paprocki and Julianne Stanz consider this same point as they ponder our role as Christians regarding openness to the world.  “We need to familiarize ourselves to the ‘terrain’ of this world.  The Holy Spirit was poured forth so that we could proclaim the gospel to all nations.  This serves as our map, compass, and ultimately our GPSS – our global positioning spiritual system.  Without such a system we would wander aimlessly, without direction, With it we can stay in touch with the field in which the seeds of the gospel are to be sown: the world.  We are called, however, not simply to immerse ourselves in the world but to survey it, engage it, and challenge it so that it may be transformed in and through Christ” (The Catechist’s Backpack, XIII in Introduction).

So let’s test our map.  You and I spend our days with our spouses and children, at work with colleagues and customers, in the ball parks and auditoriums.  We live our life primarily outside of our local parish’s walls and away from the priests and religious whose work shows us how God’s love story includes each of us.  Although every day can be, and many times is, a new adventure we know our terrain pretty well.  The question for you and me is how well do we experience God’s movement in our lives?  How do we know what these seeds look like to sow them into the fields in which we find ourselves?  Why not try the process below which a Benedictine monk outlined years ago to help me experience God’s movement in my life (it works really well with what Joe and Julianne wrote above):

• Survey the soil (world) – Listen to the hopes and concerns of those around you paying special attention to those who are marginalized in your local community, around the nation and the world.  How do the hopes and dreams measure up to the standard set by the Gospel; for example the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) or the Judgment of Nations (Matthew 25:31-46)?
• Work the soil (engage the world) – How are the hopes and concerns of those around me when viewed with the gospel calling me to conversion of heart?  Is there a possible action found within the corporeal works of mercy that will help me respond as a Christian disciple to the person or situation that is immediately in front of me?
• Tend the garden (challenge the world) – What care needs to be done to my heart so that I cultivate the fruits of the Spirit?  Before responding to the challenges of the secular society, have I checked my pride at the door and entered into dialogue with humility?  (Although my friend is a Benedictine, he finds the Jesuit practice of the Daily Examen very helpful.)

Perhaps the prayer below, attributed to Brother Lawrence, may be a fitting conclusion to this reflection:

Lord of all pots and pans and things,
since I’ve no time to be a great saint
by doing lovely things,
or watching late with Thee,
or dreaming in the dawnlight,
or storming heaven’s gates,
make me a saint by getting meals,
and washing up the plates.

Warm all the kitchen with Thy Love,
and light it with Thy peace;
forgive me all my worrying,
and make my grumbling cease.

Thou who didst love to give men food,
in room, or by the sea,
accept the service that I do,
I do it unto Thee.

Amen

Reflection written by John Gaffney, Diocesan Director for Evangelization & Catechesis.

Julianne Stanz will present a workshop for catechetical leaders in the Diocese of Des Moines on March 3, 2016.

 

Lenten Activities for Children, Youth and Adults

Ash Wednesday begins today and as in the past, I have delayed actually being intentional about my goals for Lent 2012.  Lent always brings surprises, but what am I willing to bring to this holy season?  Today’s post includes a variety of items for all ages including:

• Pope Benedict XVI giving a brief meditation on the significance of Ash Wednesday and Lent,
• Joe Paprocki, from Loyola Press, providing 40 daily activities for Lent 2012 that are primarily at-home activities but that could be a component in the formation sessions too,
• Center for Ministry Development lesson plan for Middle School youth regarding temptation and how we respond to temptation,
• Mark Hart explains why Catholics put ashes on their heads on Ash Wednesday
• Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur provides a Station of the Cross for women

40 Lenten Ideas for 40 Days, by Joe Paprocki

Lead Us Not into Temptation Lesson Plan by Susan Searle (Center for Ministry Development)

Mark Hart (the Bible Geek) explains why Catholics put ashes on their heads today

Stations of the Cross for Women

 

Growing as a Catechist Webinar with Joe Paprocki

The National Directory for Catechesis (NDC) chapter 8, section 55 points out some key aspects for preparation and ongoing formation of catechists.  We are blessed with some of the best volunteers the Church has to offer.  Each person brings her or his diversity of background and experiences with her or him to this ministry.  Just as those we serve are at different points in their Christian faith journey, so too are those who are commissioned as catechists.  It is the responsibility of the Department of Evangelization and Catechesis, working with each parish community, to ensure that each volunteer has access to a formation program to help her/him acquire skills, resources and knowledge to hand on the Catholic faith to those who are entrusted to one’s care.

Joe Paprocki, D.Min., has served in many teaching capacities in the Chicago area for more than twenty years.  HIs books include God’s Library and Living the Mass (Loyola Press).  He currently is the associate director of catechetical services of Loyola Press.  This webinar series is designed for catechetical leaders (directors of religious education, youth ministers, and adult faith formation directors/RCIA directors) and their volunteers in formation/catechists.

For more incredibly helpful ideas for catechists, please browse Joe’s blog, Catechist’s Journey Blog, from Loyola Press.  You will discover such gems as: All Things Catechist, Catechetical Issues and Topics, Liturgical Seasons and Feasts, Webinars, and Joe’s tour schedule.